Air India to restart Mumbai - Frankfurt route after a break of 8 years

Despite the deep financial troubles affecting most Indian airlines, the country's leading airline Air India has decided to relaunch service from Mumbai to Frankfurt.

Starting from 16th October the airline will operate a direct flight using a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner service, three times each week.

After a break of 8 years Air India is bringing the route back, much to the delight of some passengers, Ranjiv Kippi a businessman based in Germany has strong links with India told us, "The welcome return of this route will greatly benefit me, my family and my business, it will save both time and money for us." 

The proposed schedule for the new service will see the 787-8 leave Mumbai at 1000 arriving Frankfurt at 1400 local time. under flight number AI125. The return flight is numbered AI124 and departs Frankfurt at 1545 landing in Mumbai at 0415 the next morning.  The flights will operate on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. 

.

Record summer for Delta Air Lines

Saying this summer was a busy one would be a significant understatement. No matter how you slice the data — number of customers carried, flights flown, destinations served, irregular operation days handled — there were records made and broken during the all-important period between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Between May 24 and Sept. 3, Delta flew nearly 60 million customers, including the airline’s new record customer enplanement day on July 26 when nearly 662,000 flyers took to the skies on a single day. Nine of Delta’s top 10 busiest days by customers carried happened this summer and the airline flew on average 80 more peak-day departures versus the same period last year.

Hainan Airlines and Aigle Azur successfully complete their inaugural code-shared Paris - Beijing flight

On the 5th September, Flight HU8267/ZI887 took off from Paris Orly Airport at 1:45 pm Paris time, and touched down at Beijing Capital International Airport at 6:35 am on September 6 local time, marking the launch of the code-shared Paris-Beijing service operated by Hainan Airlines and Aigle Azur. The non-stop route will be serviced by an Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft six times a week (three times in each direction), including the Paris - Beijing flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and the Beijing-Paris flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The service is the second codeshare flight launched by Hainan Airlines and Aigle Azur following the roll-out of their shared Xi'an=Paris route. The new non-stop service provides passengers travelling between China and France with additional travel options.

Live TV comes to 100 American Airlines aircraft, with more on the way.

The US mega carrier American Airlines has activated free live TV on its first 100 domestic aircraft, with plans to extend live TV and high-speed internet across its long-term mainline narrowbody fleet of more than 700 aircraft during 2019. American is already the only U.S. airline to offer live TV on international flights.

Twelve live TV channels powered by DISH on domestic flights:
Bravo                    CBS
CNBC                   CNN
Disney Channel    ESPN
FOX                      NBC
NFL Network       Telemundo
TNT                      USA

 All channels stream directly to customers’ laptops, phones or tablets free of charge. Live TV is easy to use and available from gate to gate – customers can choose it from American’s lineup of free entertainment that includes hundreds of movies and on-demand television shows.

US authorities hold passengers from Europe 'for a medical review' at Philadelphia

US authorities cause worry and concern by holding passengers and flight crews arriving at Philadelphia from different European cities for medical review.

250 people on separate American Airlines flights coming from Paris and Munich were prevented from continuing their journeys and for a medical review as a precaution.  AA717 from Munich Airport and AA755 from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris both arrived in Philadelphia on Thursday afternoon, said Philadelphia International Airport spokesperson Diane Gerace. 

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) worked with Philadelphia health officers, emergency first responders and Customs and Border Patrol agents to delay and evaluate the passengers for influenza and other respiratory illnesses. 

CDC spokesperson Benjamin Haynes said, “Twelve passengers from the two flights reported sore throat and cough, none were identified with fever. None of the passengers are severely ill, and they will be released and informed of test results in 24 hours,” Haynes said. The rest of the passengers from the two flights were allowed to continue on to their destination, he claimed.

According to American Airlines, that the crews on both flights had NOT contacted medical personnel ahead of landing to alert them of sick passengers on board. 

"It was one hell of a scary situation." Dean Cranson a passenger on one of the flights said. "This medical person, backed up by a guard with a gun kept on asking personal questions, it was all very intimidating." The airport offered no apology. 

Icelandair Group release August figures

The beleaguered Icelandair Group released its latest figures this week which showed that passenger numbers decreased by 1% in August over the same month last year.

The total number of passengers on international flights were 522,925,  load factor was also down by 1.9%. The capacity measured in available seat kilometres (ASK) increased by 3%.  The number of available seats (AS) decreased by 3%.  The difference is more capacity to North America between years resulting in 6% higher average stage length in kilometres between years.   

Load factors on Icelandair´s routes in Europe were 90.8%, an increase of 5.8 percentage points from last year while load factors to North America were 83.1%, a decrease of 6.7 percentage points from last year. The number of passengers travelling from Iceland and on the tourist market to Iceland increased between years, but passengers on the North Atlantic market decreased compared to last year.

Microburst - a factor in the Aeromexico Connect E190 crash but Aeromexico still sacks the pilots

The Mexican Investigators charged with looking into the crash of an Embraer E190 of Aeromexico Connect at Durango, Mexico, on 31st July this year have issued a preliminary report which indicates that a microburst wind shear event was a factor in the crash.

The aircraft, an Embraer ERJ-190-100 registration  XA-GAL operated by Aeroméxico Connect was performing Flight AM2431 on 31st July was talking off from Guadalupe Victoria International Airport 's runway 03.  It had reached a height of 30 feet when it suddenly came down and collided with the ground, a fire then ensued, but remarkably all 105 people on the aircraft survived. 

UK's British Airways calls in police over hacked data - more than 380,000 transactions compromised

The UK's British Airways has called in the police to help investigate as a 'matter of urgency' the theft of customer data from its website and mobile app the company confirmed tonight.

The airline confirmed that personal and financial details of customers making bookings had been compromised. It warned that around 380,000 transactions had been compromised.  The hack took place between 22:58 on 21st August and 21:45 on 5th September. The airline is confident that the data stolen didn't include travel plans or passport details.

"We have notified the police and relevant authorities. We are deeply sorry for the disruption that this criminal activity has caused. We take the protection of our customers' data very seriously." the airline said in a statement, adding, "The breach has been resolved and our website is working normally,"

The company has notified all the customers affected by the hack and data loss by Thursday evening, however, the firm said people that might have been affected should contact their bank or credit card provider and follow their recommendations.

Alex Cruz, British Airways' chairman and chief executive, said: "We are deeply sorry for the disruption that this criminal activity has caused. We take the protection of our customers' data very seriously.".

easyJet signs up Singapore Airlines and Scoot for its Worldwide by easyJet programme.

easyJet customers will be able to connect to long-haul flights

 with Singapore Airlines via Milan Malpensa and with Scoot via Berlin Tegel

easyJet, has announced that Singapore Airlines and its low-cost subsidiary airline Scoot have signed up to the ‘Worldwide by easyJet’ global connections service, connecting easyJet customers with South East Asia with Singapore Airlines via Milan Malpensa airport and with Scoot through Berlin Tegel. The service is expected to be available within the coming months.

Singapore Airlines and Scoot join other ‘Worldwide’ partner airlines Thomas Cook, Norwegian, WestJet, Loganair, La Compagnie, Corsair, Neos and Aurigny. 53 million easyJet customers a year will be able to book connecting flights with these airlines through the easyJet website to around 100 destinations across North America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Indian Ocean and soon to South East Asia with Singapore Airlines and Scoot.

Winter expansion for Ural Airlines

It has been confirmed that Ural Airlines plans to introduce eight new routes to its schedule for the forthcoming winter 2018/19 season.  The new routes will be operated by the carriers Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft and are scheduled to start around the end of October or the start of November.

These new routes are:

Anapa – Dushanbe   starting 1st Nov  1 x week  on A320
Anapa – Khudzhand starting 30th oct 1 x week  on A320
Anapa – Osh             starting 29th oct 1 x week  on A320
Anapa – Tashkent     starting 31st Oct 1 x week  on A320
Anapa – Yerevan      starting 29th oct  2 x week  on A320
Moscow Zhukovsky – Karshi starting 29th Oct 2 x week on A321
Moscow Zhukovsky – Nukus starting 29th Oct 2 x week on  A321
St. Petersburg – Navoi  starting  31st Oct  1 x week on A321  

Aeromexico's August

The Aeromexico group today reported its August 2018 operational results, which saw the airline increase its passenger numbers by 4.1% to nearly 2 million.

The increases were seen both on international and domestic routes, international passenger numbers increased by 5.7%, while domestic passenger numbers increased by 3.1%. Demand, measured in Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPKs), increased by 6.0%, year-on-year. Aeromexico's capacity, measured in Available Seat Kilometers (ASKs), increased by 6.4% year-on-year.

Aeromexico's August load factor was 83.8%.

US NTSB investigate engine failure on Delta 757-200

The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating reports that a Delta Boeing 757-200 had an uncontained engine failure when it departed Atlanta airport on 5th September heading to Orlando.

The Boeing 757-200, registration N668DN was operating flight DL1418 shortly after 2300 and climbed to about 18,000 feet in eight minutes having to return to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. 

The aircraft was powered by Pratt & Whitney PW2037  engines and following the uncontained engine failure, the crew returned the aircraft safely to base.  There were 127 people on the aircraft at the time of the incident, no reported injuries.

 

Jet Airways in urgent talks with pilots over non paid wages.

The Indian airline, Jet Airways is in urgent talks with pilots and other team members, the airline has confirmed, following reports that many staff members had not been paid.

The pilots of the struggling carrier issued a warning to the airlines management that they would stop cooperation with the company because of the unpaid wages. 

The airline has responded, by telling media representetives that the “Management is confident of resolving these challenges and is in dialogue with the pilots and other members of its team to resolve some issues, including disbursement of salaries.”

Adelaide will be first destination for Singapore Airlines A350-900

Adelaide has been chosen by Singapore Airlines to be the launch destination for its new Airbus A350-900 medium haul aircraft which is scheduled to start on 17th December this year.

The well-respected airline announced today that the new A350-900 will operate as SQ279 from Singapore to Adelaide, and return as SQ278, from Adelaide to Singapore.  The new A350-900 aircraft will be fitted with 303 seats across two classes, with 40 seats in Business Class and 263 seats in Economy Class. The aircraft will feature the carriers recently launched new regional Business Class and Economy Class cabin products, the Business Class cabin boasts a 1-2-1 seat arrangement, providing every customer with direct aisle access, while the Economy Class cabin will be arranged in a 3-3-3 configuration.

New Business Class

The new medium-haul Business Class seats have been manufactured by Stelia Aerospace and are arranged in a forward-facing 1-2-1 staggered configuration to provide every customer direct aisle access. With each seat able to recline directly into a 76” fully-flat bed, Business Class customers can rest in more comfort, even on the shortest flights. Each seat measures up to 26” in width with retractable armrests that can be raised and lowered.

Whether travelling alone or with a partner, adjustable dividers at the centre seats provide for a customised level of privacy to suit individual preferences.

Customers can also look forward to other features to enhance their travelling experience, such as ample stowage space for personal items, a business panel with in-seat power supply and USB ports, an integrated reading light unit with adjustable lighting intensity and a personal 17” full high-definition touchscreen monitor.

New routes for Georgian Airways for summer 2019

Georgian Airways has announced plans to start an additional two new routes for summer 2019, starting in April. 

The airline will use an Embraer E190 to fly from Tbilisi twice a week to Ufa and also operate three times a week to Vilnius.

At the moment the provisional schedule for the Ufa flight departs Tbilisi at 2030 with arrival at Ufa, Russia at 2355. The return is scheduled to leave at 0100 to land back in at 0230. Flying out on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The Vilnius flight is scheduled to depart Tbilisi at 1900 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, with an arrival time of 2100. The return will leave Vilnius at 2200 local time with an arrival back in Tbilisi estimated for 0200 the next morning.

Both routes are due to be served by an Embraer E190 with a configuration of 97 seats, split between 88 seats in the economy cabin and 9 in business class.  

Alaska starts Seattle - Pittsburgh service today

Photo Pittsburgh International Airport.

A New daily service between Seattle and Pittsburgh has arrived, one of the USA's fastest growing airlines confirmed today. 

Alaska Airlines announced today that it will begin nonstop, daily service between the two cities which will be the only nonstop flight offered from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT). 

Schedule of new service: 

Start Date	City pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency	Aircraft
Sept. 6	Seattle-Pittsburgh	8:00 a.m.	3:53 p.m.	Daily	B737
Sept. 6	Pittsburgh-Seattle	5:00 p.m.	7:03 p.m.	Daily	B737

Flight times based on local time zones.

"We are excited to start our new daily non-stop from Seattle to Pittsburgh as we've seen strong demand since the route was announced in late 2017," said John Kirby, vice president of capacity planning at Alaska Airlines. "As Seattle's hometown airline, we continue to invest in new destinations to ensure we are meeting the needs of our loyal and valued Emerald City guests."

"Nonstop service to Seattle is a critical link for the Pittsburgh region and is the latest addition to the growth at Pittsburgh International Airport during the past three years. We are thrilled to welcome Alaska Airlines," Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said. "Increasing service to the West Coast has been a top priority and the connections between our two regions, including our vibrant tech growth, will fuel the success of this flight."

British Airways and Vistara announce codeshare deal

British Airways and Indian domestic carrier, Vistara, today announced a new codeshare partnership that is designed to open up more routes between London and India than ever before.

As part of the new agreement, customers can book seats on Vistara flights to destinations across India from Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi. Seats are available to buy on ba.com from today, for travel from September 27, 2018.

The UK airline operates two direct flights a day from Heathrow to Mumbai, a double daily service to Delhi and a daily flight to Chennai. The carrier also flies direct to Hyderabad and Bangalore from Terminal 5 and is rolling out a £4.5 billion, five-year customer investment plan, that includes the installation of the best quality Wi-Fi and the delivery of 72 new aircraft.

Volaris passenger numbers up for August

The ultra-low-cost airline serving Mexico, Central America and the US, Volaris has reported its latest figures both for the Month of August and the year to date. 

Volaris transported a total of 1.5 million passengers during August, which is a 10.2% more than it did in the same month last year. The carrier achieved an 80.3% load factor over the month, down by around 5.1% on last years number.  However,  Revenue Passenger Miles (RPMs), in August 2018 increased 7.8% year over year. 

High load factors and strong passenger growth in August reports Norwegian

Rapidly becoming one of Europe's most favoured airlines, Norwegian seems to be continuing to go from strength to strength as an increasing amount of people choose to travel with the carrier.

The airlines latest figures indicate that more than 3.6 million people chose to fly with it during the month of August alone, that's more than 10% up on last years total for August.

The load factor, roughly the average amount of bums on seats was approximately 90% across the route network. Even higher on the long-haul routes where the airline is really expanding rapidly.  They managed to achieve 94% on those far away flights, impressive when you consider the airline, like all operators of Boeing's Dreamliner aircraft, have had issues regarding engine wear to contend with.  

Blockchain coming to Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

Singapore Airlines, KPMG in Singapore and Microsoft have all joined forces to work together in order to develop the first airline loyalty program "digital wallet" to be based on blockchain technology. 

The airline has announced the launch of the new KrisPay digital wallet following a successful proof-of-concept development in February 2018.

Argentinian expansion for JetSMART

Big plans for an Argentinian expansion for the low-cost Chilean airline JetSMART have been revealed this week.

The airline will expand into Argentina during December this year will ambitions plans for a domestic route network to be introduced by July 2019.  JetSMART has applied for an air operator's certificate in Argentina, which should be granted in early next year. 

The carrier is bringing new flights connecting Chile and Argentina, from 11th December JetSMART will connect Santiago with Mendoza, followed by Cordoba on 14th December. Then on 17th December, they will start a service between La Serena and Cordoba. Flights between La Serena and Mendoza will launch 18 December. On 2 January, service between Santiago and Buenos Aires El Palomar will begin.

JetSMART operates almost exclusively within Chile, with its fleet of five A32s, although it does have a single international route currently as it also goes to Lima. The airline also plans to have another six by Airbus A320s in early 2019. During the second half of 2019, it will also add eight leased A320neos. The airline will also start to receive its first A320neos from a 70 aircraft order in 2021. 

Recently the airline celebrated its first year of operation in Chile, which saw the carrier, transport 1.2 million passengers in those first 12 months, remarkably achieving a market share of 12.7%. "JetSMART has revolutionised air transport in Chile. Thanks to the competition we have introduced, airline ticket prices have fallen more than 35% in this period and the domestic market has grown more than 22%," said Estuardo Ortiz, general manager of JetSMART.

Record passenger numbers for Delta in August

Delta Air Lines today reported operating performance for August 2018. The company carried 18.3 million customers across its broad global network, a record for the month of August.   

Monthly highlights include:

Opening a new 127,000-square-foot state-of-the-art engine repair shop, which will support the next-generation Rolls-Royce powerplants featured on Delta’s Airbus A350 and the forthcoming A330-900neo through the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul business
Installing seat-back entertainment on its 600th aircraft, giving more customers than ever convenient access to free in-flight entertainment on Delta Studio, and offering more aircraft with seat-back entertainment than any airline in the world
Announcing new Summer 2019 trans-Atlantic flying to include expanded service to Paris and Amsterdam from Los Angeles; expanded service to Paris and Tel Aviv from New York-JFK, and new service to Amsterdam from Tampa
Aligning the corporate customer program with joint venture partner Air France-KLM in an industry-first program to enhance benefits for the corporate travel experience, including better seats and priority boarding.

New Miami route for LOT Polish Airlines

LOT Polish Airlines have confirmed it will start a new US route in June next year. The popular European airline will inaugurate a service from Warsaw to Miami from 1st June next year.

The new nonstop service will be the first ever link between the two airports and expands the airlines US destinations to six.  "LOT Polish Airlines is an exciting addition to MIA's growing roster of international carriers," said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. "This new connection to Eastern Europe will go a long way toward expanding MIA's role as a true global gateway."

The Polish airline, LOT will operate four flights each and will utilise new generation B787-8 Dreamliner aircraft on the route. The current configuration on LOT's Dreamliners provides room for  252 passengers.  "Miami is currently one of the largest markets in the U.S so far not served by LOT," said Rafał Milczarski, LOT CEO. "It is the first such convenient connection between Central and Eastern Europe and Florida with almost half a million passengers per year travelling between the two regions. Thanks to our broad network of connections and the most convenient transfers offered via hub in Warsaw, I am sure that many passengers from Miami will take advantage of our latest offer and fly on our board to Budapest, Prague, Kiev or Tel-Aviv."

LOT, which launched operations in 1928, is considered one of the fastest-growing airlines in Europe today, with seven million passengers onboard each year. LOT's fleet of 73 aircraft is also one of the youngest and most modern in Europe.

(Photo's  Miami - D Ramey Logan,  787 -  Lot Polish Airlines)

Lufthansa try out quick catering for passengers in a hurry at Munich

The German airline Lufthansa is trying out a new service for its business class passengers, people with lounge access, called 'Delights to go'. 

Many of us will be familiar with this situation: you are on your way to the airport and simply looking forward to having a cup of coffee and a small snack in the Lufthansa Lounge. Nevertheless, by the time you actually arrive at the airport, you take a look at the clock and realize that time is running out. In order to make travel easier for these customers in a hurry, Lufthansa has now developed a smart solution called "Delights to Go".

The trial will last six-month at Munich Airport and started today and is centrally located in Terminal 2 near Gate G19, Lufthansa passengers with lounge access can now enjoy high-quality snacks and drinks in a nicely designed self-service area. This offer is free and can be accessed with the customer’s boarding pass at the entrance of the area. 

Big losses reported by flydubai

United Arab Emirates low-cost airline flydubai is due to take 7 more Boeing 737s during the last part of this year, which will include its first Max 9 models.

FlyDubai is returning four 737-800s to their leasing firms as it welcomes three take 737 Max 9s and four 737 Max 8s. The airline will “maintain a tight grip” on capacity deployment, in the face of rising fuel prices, as part of its efforts to cut costs and keep spending under control. Senior vice-president of finance Arbind Kumar said Flydubai has achieved “good” revenue growth and that it remains focused on the priorities of improving cost performance, optimising the network, and broadening distribution.

The airline has reported its latest results today, some of the key points include:

Emirates aircraft in quarantine in New York JFK

An Emirates jet has been quarantined at New York's JFK airport today following reports that more than 10 people on the aircraft have fallen ill.

The airline confirmed that about 10 people had been affected on the flight from Dubai that arrived in New York around 9.10 local time this morning.

Statement: Emirates can confirm that about 10 passengers on #EK203 from Dubai to New York were taken ill. On arrival, as a precaution, they were attended to by local health authorities. All others will disembark shortly. The safety & care of our customers is our first priority.

— Emirates Airline (@emirates) 5 September 2018

According to local media, the pilot had advised air traffic control that some passengers on the flight had been feeling ill, coughing and had high temperatures, prior to landing. Emergency services were then deployed to meet the aircraft. At the moment there is no definitive cause for the illness, although food poisoning is one of a number of causes being investigated.

Atlas Air to operate another 747-400 for Asiana Cargo

Cargo specialists Atlas Air today announced that it has entered into an agreement to add a second Boeing 747-400 Freighter for Asiana Cargo. 

The aircraft will be operated by Atlas Air and be flown on key global routes across the fast-growing transpacific market, connecting South Korea with several destinations in the United States. The aircraft is an incremental unit in Atlas Air’s fleet in response to customer demand and will enter into service this month.

“We are delighted to expand our strategic partnership with Asiana Cargo,” said William J. Flynn, President and Chief Executive Officer, Atlas Air Worldwide. “Asiana takes pride in providing reliable, high-quality service, and we are very pleased to be chosen to manage an important part of its international network. We look forward to providing Asiana and its customers with unmatched service and a platform for future expansion.”

  

Pune is back on the schedule for Lufthansa

Pune is back on the schedule for the German carrier, Lufthansa as the airline reintroduces a new seasonal service to Pune in the state of Maharashtra, India.

The service will start on 28th October and will run until the end of March next year and plans are to possibly extend the service, dependent on demand. 

Pune is in the top ten of most populous cities in India and is considered a major cultural and educational hub in the region. It has sometimes been known as 'Oxford of the east' because of the number of leading educational establishments based in the city. It is also home to numerous government and non-government research centres as well as a number of motor manufacturing plants. Pune has also seen a growing number of tourists visiting the city and the region for its rich history, religious and spiritual establishments and impressive architecture and wondrous natural surroundings. 

This new service to Pune will be operated by a Privatair 737-700 aircraft, the flight is scheduled to operate twice a week and departs from Frankfurt at 1150, arriving in Pune at 0040 the next day, local time. On the way back the flight departs at 0210 from Pune, it will operate via Bucharest, for a technical/fuel stop, landing back in Frankfurt at 0845. 

Major expansion plans for Austrian Airlines

A major expansion plan is coming to the Austrian Airlines route network this winter as the airline announces more than 40 additional flights each week will be operated to 14 destinations.

The airline says this expansion will include the German cities of Berlin, Dusseldorf and Hamburg as well as other destinations such as Copenhagen, Kiev, Athens and Krakow. These frequency increases will be made possible on the basis of enhanced efficiency in the route network. “Alongside the European flights we are increasing our frequencies to North America as well”, explains Austrian Airlines CCO Andreas Otto. “As a result, we are strengthening Vienna as hub for our flights.”  

From the end of October 2018, the airline will operate up to 48 weekly flights to Berlin-Tegel and 36 flights to Dusseldorf, an increase of seven flights per week in each case compared to the winter of 2017/18. Austrian Airlines will fly up to 29 times each week to Hamburg, or three additional flights in the upcoming winter flight schedule. On balance, Austria’s flag carrier will offer up to 17 more weekly flights to Germany or a total of up to 238 flight connections each week from Vienna to Germany. 

United to invest in Hawaii

The US mega airline United is about to splash $200 million on upgrades to major Hawaiian airports over the next ten years, according to local media reports. 

The Honolulu Star-Advertiser advised that the airlines CEO Oscar Munoz says the huge investment will be used to modernise the tools and resources employees can use at airports throughout Hawaii in the order to give customers a better experience.

The airline will also amend schedules at seven of the carriers major hubs which will make it easier for passengers to connect to the Hawaiian Islands.  The carrier is expected to launch the scheduling change at the Denver airport in February.

According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, United has added 11 new routes and 363,522 seats in the state from 2017-18. The airline expects to have nearly 12,000 flights operating in Hawaii this year.  

Alaska Airlines kicks off football season with new Russell Wilson plane and pre-departure tailgate

In celebration of the regular season opener and Seattle's quarterback, Alaska Airlines is unveiling a new Russell Wilson plane. Guests flying to Denver this Friday, 7th Sept, are invited to sport their blue at a tailgate-inspired celebration at Sea-Tac's C gates.

Central Florida fun coming to the WOW route network soon!

The low-cost transatlantic airline from Iceland, WOW air, has announced it will open up a new route heading the USA way from 18th December this year.

The airline is expanding its route network with a service to Orlando International Airport (MCO) from its home base of  Keflavik International Airport. Orlando will become the airline's 14 US destination and this route will be operated on a seasonal basis three days a week between December and April. 

"We are thrilled to launch our service to and from Orlando this December giving Floridians the chance to experience magical winters and beautiful springs in Europe for an affordable price," said Skúli Mogensen, CEO and Founder of WOW air. "Passengers will also have the opportunity to take advantage of the WOW Stopover and make the most of their layover time by staying in Iceland for as long as they wish. It gives travelers the flexibility to break up a long-haul journey while taking in everything Iceland has to offer on their way to Europe, all on the same trip."

"Milan, Berlin, Edinburgh and New Delhi, these are just some of the exciting new destinations that are just one-stop away from Orlando with the arrival of Wow Airlines, says Phil Brown, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. "Wow's ability as an international low-cost carrier helps open doors for more business and leisure travel between Orlando and the world.".

  The Icelandic airline also recently announced its new route to Delhi in India would also start in December.

The airline has called time on its Tel Aviv route which comes to an end on 26th October. 

Freddie steady go....... If you go down to Heathrow Terminal 5 today, you might be in for a surprise.

Did you know the rock star Freddie Mercury used to work as a baggage handler at London Heathrow Airport before he joined Queen in 1970?

Freddy For A Day!

Apparently, it is true, but few knew of his case shifting past, now, to celebrate Freddie For A Day which marks the rock legend’s birthday today 5th September and the upcoming release of the film BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY, British Airways and Heathrow will ‘escape from reality’ to pay tribute to Freddie in spectacular fashion.

Heathrow Terminal 5 arrivals will come alive in celebration of the Queen frontman, as baggage handlers perform Mercury-inspired dance moves, choreographed by Strictly Come Dancing and X Factor choreographer Lyndon Lloyd.

Following weeks of rehearsals, the baggage handlers will Break Free from their routine and astonish passengers with moves inspired by the charismatic rock star, who worked at the airport nearly 50 years ago, shortly before joining Queen and packing arenas around the world.

You can watch the video here.

Second time unlucky for Wataniya

For a second time in its history, Wataniya Airways of Kuwait has suspended operations after “unexpected circumstances" which were unavoidable the chairman Ali al Fozan announced yesterday.

It is the second time the airline has halted operations, albetit temporarily, this time the suspension in flying is due to “Three planes going out of service,” which leaves the airline with just one operational aircraft. One of the Airbus A320s it was using needs to have an engine replaced, wet-lease contracts on another two ended, following objections by Kuwait’s civil aviation authority - the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The airline “cannot operate with one plane so we decided to suspend operations temporarily until return of the second plane,” said Al Fozan.

Emirates & Jetstar Pacific codeshare deal

The Dubai based Emirates and Ho Chi Minh City-based Jetstar Pacific announced today that they had agreed on a new codeshare deal, which expands the existing partnership between the two carriers. 

The new partnership with Jetstar allows Emirates’ passengers to enjoy connectivity on domestic flights within Vietnam, in addition to flights connecting Vietnam to Singapore, Thailand as well as Australia.

13th A320neo for Lufthansa

One of Europe's largest airlines, Lufthansa took delivery of its 13th new Airbus A320neo on Monday.  The new aircraft has been called Freising and left the Airbus production site in Hamburg-Finkenwerder yesterday to join the German carriers fleet. In total, the airline group has 415 examples of the Airbus A320 family of aircraft in its fleet. 

(Photos Lufthansa)